The Battle of Graspan, also known as the Battle of Enslin, was an engagement in the Second Boer War near the Enslin railway station at Graspan kopje. The battle took place on November 25, 1899, between British forces led by Lord Methuen and Boers led by Koos de la Rey.
After the Battle of Belmont, Lord Methuen's force advanced up the railway in armored trains. On November 24, the train was shelled by Boer artillery in the nearby hills, deraling it. Methuen then decided to engage the Boers to continue his advance, with a subsequent assault on the next day.[1]
In the morning of November 25, the 9th Brigade headed north towards Graspan kopje. A Boer pom-pom fired on the British advances, along with four 75mm Krupp guns. The artillery fire killed 5 British regulars and two horses, in response the British fired their 12-inch naval guns,[2] quickly silencing the Boers. After the artillery engagement, Methuen heliographed the Coldstreams, Scots, and Grenadiers to advance from Belmont to Graspan.
At around 7 am, the Guards Brigade, along with the Northamptonshires and Northumberland Fusiliers, advanced up the railway towards the kopje. A Naval brigade consisting of sailors from the HMS Doris, HMS Terrible, HMS Powerful, as well as a battalion of Royal Marines, was present.
As the battle began, the Guards Brigade was held in reserve towards the rear, as they were heavily engaged at the Battle of Belmont just two days earlier. The fusiliers and light infantry regiments were brought up and sent to attack the Boer Positions.
The Naval brigade advanced towards the Boer positions, exposed. Unlike their army counterparts, these troops were not accustomed to the method of fighting that the regular infantry had faced. As such, the Naval brigade suffered many casualties due to their inexperience.
As they advanced towards the Boer positions, the British opened fire on the Boer positions under the cover of the grass and rocks.[3] Dashing advances were made by the British until they reached the hill. Boer rifle fire managed to pick off some of the British, but were unable to halt the advance. The Guards eventually reached the base of the hill, and charged the Boer positions. Some Boers, upon seeing the British charges, retreated from the hill. Others stayed behind, holding off the British as long as possible. Eventually the British had encircled the position and had successfully infiltrated into the trenches, causing them to retreat to Modder River.[3]
After the battle, Lord Methuen's force continued advancing up the railway towards Kimberley. Eventually on November 28, his forces would engage with a much larger Boer army at the Battle of Modder River. Methuen would win, but take many casualties. Metheun's advance would be halted, however, after the disastrous defeat at the Battle of Magersfontein. A memorial would be constructed in 1903, and dedicated to the Royal Marines, named after this battle. [5]